Foxtrot Dance Steps

The foxtrot is a very popular form of ballroom dancing. This dance had been named after a theater artist in New York, called Harry Fox, who introduced this dance form amid his theater performances. Soon it became popular among the general public, and came to be known as the 'Fox Trot'. The reason behind this was that the original dance comprised of a sequence of trotting steps. However, once the dance was standardized by the American Society of Professors of Dancing, the trotting was changed to a smooth glide, as the 'trotting' did not seem elegant when performed by ladies, and was also a little difficult for them. Thus, the name remained, but the original dance form was altered. If you are interested in dancing the foxtrot, you may begin by understanding the basic foxtrot dance steps given below.

Basic Foxtrot Dance Steps

The foxtrot is performed in a regular sequence of slow-slow followed by quick-quick steps. The frame within which it performed is a square step, in a circular fashion. The music to which it is performed has a flowing tune, to which the dancers smoothly glide across the dance floor.

Basic Foxtrot Dance Steps for Men (Lead)

1. Stand close to your partner, facing each other. Hold your partner's right hand with your left hand. Place your right hand below your partner's left arm, while gently pressing the left shoulder blade.
2. Step forward with your left foot, in a manner that it slides parallel to the floor. Ensure your foot lands heel first followed by the toes. This is the beginning of the slow foxtrot dance steps. Your posture and position should rise while taking this step.
3. The second slow foxtrot dance step begins with lifting the right foot, and allowing it to glide over the left foot.
4. Then maintain the footwork to match a quick beat, lift your left foot forward, till it is close to the right foot, and then quickly step to the left, without allowing the foot to touch the floor.
5. Similarly, lift your right foot forward, till it is close to the left foot, and transfer all the weight to this foot. Repeat the movements from the beginning to continue the dance.

Basic Foxtrot Dance Steps for Women (Follow)

1. Stand close to your partner facing each other. Place your right hand in your partner's left hand, while your left hand will gently rest on your partner's right shoulder.
2. In accordance with your partner's first step, step backwards with your right foot, in a manner that your foot slides parallel to the floor, landing heel first followed by the toes. The rising and falling of your posture will be determined by the pressure the lead puts with their hands.
3. In keeping with the second slow foxtrot dance step of the lead, lift your left foot and step backwards, in a manner that it passes the right foot in a smooth and slow motion.
4. Follow this step by lifting your right foot in level with the left, and step slightly to the right. You will have to determine the length of this stride depending on your partner's stride.
5. Finally, move the left foot and place it parallel to the right foot, and shift the weight to the right foot, until your partner signals the beginning of the next sequence of steps.


The foxtrot dance steps can easily be molded into several different variations. In fact, when the foxtrot is performed to a faster beat, it transforms into the swing dance, and the jitterbug. Another variation is known as the quickstep, that is a faster version of the original dance performed to waltz music. Due to these several variations, the foxtrot has been termed as a social dance. Though you may start with these basics on your own, to delve further deep into the foxtrot dance, and understand its variations, it is advisable to enroll yourself in a class that will teach you these in the right manner.